Within the Netherlands, several large and long-running cohort studies and biobanks have been regularly collecting massive amounts of data from their participants. These cohort studies offer a globally unique infrastructure to gain a better understanding of the risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection and the psychosocial and economic consequences of the pandemic and the population health management strategy that was put in place to counter the virus.
Given the ongoing infection waves that are happening now the NTR will, in close collaboration with other cohorts (Lifelines and Lifelines NEXT, the Rotterdam Study, ERGO, Generation R Study), send out harmonized questionnaires to their participants. The harmonized data collection in combination with the rich biological and environmental data already collected in each cohort, and the twin-family structure in the NTR will allow us to gain insight into the role of both the genetic and environmental risk factors that determine severity upon COVID-19 infection.
In addition, the current pandemic is putting significant psychosocial and economic strain on societies. Therefore, by repeating parts of the questionnaires regularly, this research will also focus on how the pandemic affects society at large, including those who have not become infected. We expect this project to yield highly detailed insights into the individual differences in the medical and societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results will inform policy makers on how to improve current (and future) management of infectious diseases in the population, and will help to understand factors that determine COVID-19 disease severity.
APH contact person: Eco de Geus: eco.de.geus@vu.nl
This is an initiative taken by APH researchers as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have an initiative to be listed as well, please email us: aph@amsterdamumc.nl.
See all APH COVID-19 initiatives